A night on the town in New York City can encompass any number of exciting activities. If you are looking for a unique dining experience with a theme you won't find everywhere, consider turning to the circus. Even if Barnum and Bailey aren't in town, you can experience a flair for the strange and colorful at a number of New York restaurants.
When a Brazilian circus owner wanted to bring a unique taste of his home to the east side of New York City, he opened Circus Restaurant, which is exactly what it sounds like.
The restaurant features clown statues hanging from the bar, colorfully painted window decorations and walls decorated in bright paint, mirrors and photos and drawings of circus performers.
The Circus Restaurant serves lunch and dinner six days a week and is open for dinner only on Sundays. The menu contains many traditional Brazilian dishes like empanadas and a large selection of seafood, including snapper fish, tuna and shrimp. Dinner entrees include Brazilian twists on old favorites, like shrimp braised in coconut milk and meats wrapped in bananas leaves for cooking.
Circus Restaurant
132 East 61st Street
New York, NY 10065
Phone: 212-223-2965
circusrestaurante.com
The Osteria del Circo restaurant on West 55th Street offers the fun and flair of the circus with delicious fine dining traditionally found in New York City.
Everywhere you look in Osteria del Circo, you will be reminded of the circus. Statues of trapeze artists hang from the ceiling above the bar, overhanging decorations remind visitors of being in a big-top tent and a clown peeks out from above the kitchen doors. The restaurant is owned and operated by a family who serve as ringmasters and chefs for this uniquely combined circus restaurant.
Osteria del Circo serves lunch and dinner each day during the week, and dinner only on Saturdays and Sundays. The menu consists of many Italian favorites, including ravioli, tortelli and spaghetti. Most of the pasta is homemade, and is combined with shrimp, beef, mussels, duck and other tasty flavors to create unique dishes. You can also find grilled entrees like salmon and steak, and an extensive wine list that features champagnes, reds, whites and dessert wines.
Osteria del Circo
120 West 55th Street
New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212-265-3636
osteriadelcirco.com
The sheer size of Le Cirque will impress many diners, and adds to the circus atmosphere. The restaurant---complete with big top light shades around the circular main dining room to add to the circus feel---can seat 95 diners comfortably, and also features a wine lounge and bar that seats 65.
The restaurant serves lunch and dinner each day during the week and dinner only on Saturdays; the restaurant is closed on Sundays. The wine lounge serves appetizer and snack favorites like shrimp cocktail, salads and small servings of steak and burgers to whet your appetite while you enjoy your drink. The main restaurant serves dishes including chicken, pork belly, lamb and venison. Dessert is also delectable, with a wide range of ice cream and sorbets complimented by favorites like chocolate soufflé and crème brulee.
Le Cirque
One Beacon Court
151 East 58th Street
New York, NY 10022
Phone: 212-644-0202
lecirque.com
